Karaka Million

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Karaka Million
Restricted Listed race
LocationEllerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance1200m (2YO), 1600m (3YO)
SurfaceTurf
Trackright-handed
QualificationRegistered two-year-olds or three-year-olds, respectively
WeightHandicap

The Karaka Million refers to two major New Zealand horse races for young horses - the original Karaka Million for two-year-old (2YO) horses and the Karaka Million 3YO Classic that started in 2018. Held at Ellerslie Racecourse, they are New Zealand's richest races, with a stake of NZ$1,000,000 each. The races are restricted to horses sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales held at Karaka.[1] The two $1,000,000 races are held on the eve of the National Yearling Sales Series at Karaka.[2]

History[edit]

The 2YO race was run for the first time in 2008, replacing a similar race held at Te Rapa. Up to 2017, horses eligible for the Karaka Million could also be entered in an associated race, the Karaka Three Year Old Mile over 1600m (NZ$200,000), in the following year. However, from 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock introduced a second Magic Million $1,000,000 race for three-year-olds.

Since 2018, the "Boys Get Paid" Facebook group have organized a large gathering of hundreds of members at the Karaka Million meeting with a punting syndicate delivering what are believed to be the largest bets on New Zealand races.[3][4] [5]

Whereas a usual New Zealand race meeting may start before 1 pm, have up to 10 races, and finish before 6 pm the Karaka Million race meeting is a twilight meeting. For example, 2023 had a six-race card:

  • 4:09 pm - the Karaka Cup, 2200m open handicap for a stake of $120,000
  • 4:48 pm - the Group 2 Westbury Classic, 1400m set weights + penalties for fillies and mares for $180,000
  • 5:28 pm - the Group 3 Almanzor Trophy, 1200m 3YO set weight + penalties for $130,000
  • 6:08 pm - the listed Karaka Million 2YO, 1200m set weight for $1,000,000
  • 6:48 pm - the Group 3 Concorde Handicap, 1200m Open Handicap for $130,000
  • 7:28 pm - the listed Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 1600m set weight for $1,000,000

In 2024 the Aotearoa Classic, a $1 million race over 1600m, was introduced for 4 year old horses.[6]

Karaka Million 2YO[edit]

These are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 2YO race:

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024 [7] Velocious 55 Written Tycoon Parmalove Snitzel James McDonald Stephen Marsh 1:09.15 (good) Damask Rose 55 Full Force 57
2023 [8] Tokyo Tycoon Satono Aladdin All About The Coin Starcraft Craig Zackey Mark Walker 1:10.04 (Pukekohe) Ethereal Star Trobriand
2022 [9] Dynastic Almanzor Meir Volksraad Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.60 Wolverine Fellini
2021 [10] On The Bubbles Brazen Beau More Bubbles Sebring Jonathan Parkes Jamie Richards 1:10.70 Sneaky Shark Avonallo
2020 [11] Cool Aza Beel Savabeel Cool ‘N’ Sassy Testa Rossa Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:10.57 Play That Song Taroni
2019 [12] Probabeel[13] Savabeel Far Fetched Pins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:09.90 Aotea Lad Appellant
2018 [14] Avantage[15] Fastnet Rock Asavant Zabeel Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.54 Al Hasa Bocce
2017 [16] Melody Belle[17] Commands Meleka Belle Iffraaj Opie Bosson Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 1:10.95 Hasahalo Felton Road
2016 [18] Xiong Feng[19] Iffraaj Stray Tale of the Cat Danielle Johnson Stephen McKee 1:09.68 Showmeya moneyhoney Kingsman
2015 [20] Hardline[21] Showcasing Midnight Breaker Housebuster Damian Browne Liam Birchley 1:10.64 Selfie Dal Cielo
2014 [22] Vespa[23] Elusive City Miss Avalon Fantastic Light Mark Du Plessis Johno Benner 1:12.07 Riding Shotgun O'Marilyn
2013 [24] Ruud Awakening[25] Bernardini Dawn Almighty Danehill Craig Williams Stephen Marsh 1:09.77 Fantastic Honour Touche
2012 [26] Ockham's Razor[27] Any Suggestion Shadow Ray Groom Dancer (USA) Craig Williams Anthony Freedman 1:10.66 Silk Pins Warhorse
2011 [28] Fort Lincoln Charge Forward Belle Toujours Flying Spur (Aus) Jonathan Riddell Lisa Latta 1:11.82 Antonio Lombardo Planet Rock
2010 [29] Sister Havana General Nediym Ultima Vita Canny Lad (Aus) Stathi Katsidis Liam Birchley 1:09.70 Icepin Banchee
2009 [30] The Heckler Lucky Owners Comedy Cafe Rory's Jester (Aus) Michael Rodd Murray & Bjorn Baker 1:10.58 Sarge In Charge Bewitch
2008 [31] Vincent Mangano No Excuse Needed Rationable Housebuster (USA) Vinny Colgan Peter McKay 1:11.25 Maureen Dorothy Raid

Melody Belle was a $32 outsider when she won the 2017 edition.

Avantage, Melody Belle and The Heckler also won the Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes.

The victory by Cool Aza Beel in 2020 was the fourth consecutive win by Opie Bosson as a jockey in the Karaka Million 2YO race. He did not ride in the 2021 edition but was successful again in 2022 with Dynastic.

The 2022 victory of Dynastic was the sixth consecutive win by Jamie Richards as a trainer/co-trainer in the race.

Karaka Million 3YO Classic[edit]

The following are the recent winners of the Karaka Million 3YO Classic raced over 1600m.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam Sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024 [32] Orchestral Savabeel Symphonic (NZ) O'Reilly James McDonald Roger James & Robert Wellwood 1:33.31 (good) Pendragon Just As Sharp
2023 [33] Prowess Proisir Donna Marie Don Eduardo Warren Kennedy Roger James and Robert Wellwood 1:35.34 (Pukekohe) Wild Night Desert Lightning
2022 [34] Pin Me Up Pins Brampton Loco O'Reilly Sam Weatherley Jamie Richards 1:34.37 Tutukaka Karman Line
2021 [35] Aegon Sacred Falls Toss Up Zabeel Leith Innes Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 1:33.78 Amarelinha Montre Moi
2020 [36] Probabeel Savabeel Far Fetched Pins Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:33.49 Conqueror Hasstobegood
2019 [37] Long Leaf Fastnet Rock Frustrating Stravinsky James McDonald David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig 1:35.1 The Real Beel Madison County
2018 [38] Scott Base[39] Dalghar Extra Celestial Danehill Dancer Rosie Myers Johno Benner & Hollie Wynyard 1:33.43 Embellish Savvy Coup

The 2018 and 2022 Karaka Million 3YO winners Scott Base and Pin Me Up were $22.10 and $24.10 outsiders respectively.

Winners of the Karaka 3YO Mile[edit]

From 2010 to 2017 the Karaka Million meeting had a 1600m race for 3 year old horses.

  • 2010 - Joey Massino [40]
  • 2011 - Banchee [41]
  • 2012 - Rock 'n' Pop [42]
  • 2013 - Choice Bro [43]
  • 2014 - Spellbinder [44]
  • 2015 - Volkstok'n'barrell [45]
  • 2016 - Raghu [46]
  • 2017 - Volpe Veloce [47]

Winners of the Karaka Cups (2014-2023)[edit]

The Karaka Million meeting had a 2200m races for older horses:

  • the Karaka Stayers Cup from 2014 to 2017
  • the Karaka Cup from 2018 to 2023.

The following are the winners of those events.

Year
 Winner
 Sire
Dam
 Dam Sire
 Jockey
 Trainer
 Time
 Second
 Third
2023 [48] Zee Falls 56 Sacred Falls Zelitist Zabeel Damian Lane Stephen Marsh 2:16.87 (Pukekohe) Contemplation 54 Tutukaka 60
2022 [49] Rapid Falls 54 Sacred Falls Sitting On A Hill City On A Hill Leith Innes Tony Pike 2:17.71 Notabadharada Sagunto
2021 [50] Tiptronic 62.5 O’Reilly Tiptoes Pins Wiremu Pinn (A2) Graham Richardson & Rogan Norvall 2:17.06 In A Twinkling On The Rocks
2020 [51] Dance Card Savabeel Dancing Attendance Danehill Dancer Michael Dee Lance Noble 2:17.84 Intrigue Church Road
2019 [52] Five to Midnight Domesday Fastnet Lady Fastnet Rock Johnathan Parkes Lisa Latta 2:18.51 Mongolian Marshal Sacred Day
2018 [53] August Edition Alamosa Miranda Miss Reset Rosie Myers Shaun & Emma Clotworthy 2:17.75 Top Prospect Charles Road
2017 [54] Chenille Pentire Charmed (NZ) O'Reilly Leith Innes Tony Pike 2:16.81 (good) Sacred Shot Team Pete
2016 [55] Rose of Virginia
2015 [56] Candle In The Wind
2014 [57] Deane Martin

August Edition, the 2018 winner of the Karaka Cup was a $30.60 outsider.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Karaka Million Series | New Zealand Bloodstock | Thoroughbred Auction House".
  2. ^ "New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Million | Sat 21 Jan 2023 | Pukekohe Park".
  3. ^ "1000-member betting syndicate mulls placing NZ's biggest ever bet on a single horse race". 1 News.
  4. ^ "Ellerslie crowd sings in praise of jockey Opie Bosson's Karaka Million win". 23 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Welcome to BGP". Boys Get Paid!!.
  6. ^ "Horse racing: Karaka Millions first NZ race meeting to top $4m". NZ Herald. January 27, 2024.
  7. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52530/4/Race-Detail.aspx
  8. ^ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  9. ^ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  10. ^ "Race 4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ^ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ^ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ^ "Jame Richards-trained juvenile Probabeel wins Karaka Million at Ellerslie". 26 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ^ "Two Karaka Millions in a row for Team te Akau > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  16. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ^ "Outsider Melody Belle upsets the favourites to win the Karaka Million race at Ellerslie". 29 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  19. ^ "Xiong Feng wins New Zealand's million dollar race, the Karaka Million". 24 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  21. ^ "Karaka Million win Aussie's 'best moment in racing'".
  22. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  23. ^ "Vespa sparks birdcage celebrations". 7 February 2014.
  24. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  25. ^ "AB great wins Karaka Million". 28 January 2013.
  26. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  27. ^ "Moor picks up plum ride". 15 February 2012.
  28. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 30 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  29. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 31 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  30. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION 2YO at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  31. ^ "Race 5 KARAKA MILLION at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  32. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52530/6/Race-Detail.aspx
  33. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  34. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  35. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  36. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  37. ^ "Race 6 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  38. ^ "Race 4 KARAKA MILLION 3YO CLASSIC at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  39. ^ "Scott Base storms home to win inaugural Karaka Millions 3YO Classic at Ellerslie". 27 January 2018.
  40. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 31 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  41. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 30 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  42. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  43. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 27 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  44. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  45. ^ "Race 3 NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  46. ^ "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  47. ^ "Race 3 NZB INSURANCE KARAKA 3YO MILE at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  48. ^ "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 21 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  49. ^ "Race 1 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND THOROUGHBRED RACING on 22 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  50. ^ "Race 2 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 23 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  51. ^ "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  52. ^ "Race 1 COLLINSONFOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  53. ^ "Race 7 COLLINSON FOREX KARAKA CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 14 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  54. ^ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 29 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  55. ^ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 24 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  56. ^ "Race 2 WINDSOR PARK STUD KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 25 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  57. ^ "Race 2 THE WESTBURY KARAKA STAYERS CUP at AUCKLAND RC on 26 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
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